Biden extends health insurance to Dreamers

Biden administration has announced extension of federally run health insurance cover to an estimated 100,000 previously uninsured Dreamers, certain immigrants illegally brought to the US as children, including about 5,000 South Asians.

With the move ahead of elections in November, uninsured participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, are expected to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace and Basic Health Program, both created under the Affordable Care Act, the US Department of Health and Human Services said.

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The DACA program was launched in 2012 under former President Barack Obama, to whom Biden was vice president. The program offers deportation relief and work permits to so-called “Dreamer” immigrants who were illegally brought to the US as children or overstayed a visa.

“Dreamers are our loved ones, our nurses, teachers, and small business owners,” Biden said in a statement. “And they deserve the promise of health care just like all of us.”

“Dreamers throughout this country are serving in our military, teaching in our classrooms, and leading our small businesses as entrepreneurs. They are our neighbors, classmates, and loved ones. Our nation is fortunate that America is their home,” said Indian American Vice President Kamala Harris.

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“Thanks to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), more than 800,000 Dreamers have been able to live, study, and work in the only home they have ever known while making our nation a better place.”

“It is why I fought to defend and protect DACA as Attorney General of California and a US Senator from California,” she said. “Now as Vice President, I have worked alongside President Biden to take steps to preserve and fortify DACA.”

Harris said Biden and she “will continue to do everything in our power to protect DACA, but it is only a temporary solution. Congress must act to ensure Dreamers have the permanent protections they deserve.”

DACA enrollees will have access to related financial assistance, such as tax credits and reduced out-of-pocket costs under the change, which will be effective Nov. 1, according to a White House fact sheet.

The regulation will give DACA participants access to the Basic Health Program, which serves low-income residents, according to a White House fact sheet.

The change will not open access to two other low-income programs, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, as was initially proposed in 2023.

Former President Donald Trump, an immigration hardliner, tried to end DACA during his presidency but was denied by the US Supreme Court. About 530,000 people are currently enrolled in the program, which remains subject to an ongoing legal fight.

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